PlayStation 3 Heat Sink Replacement

What you need

Step 1 Heat Sink

PlayStation 3 Heat Sink Replacement, Heat Sink: step 1, image 1 of 2

PlayStation 3 Heat Sink Replacement, Heat Sink: step 1, image 2 of 2

De-route the fan cables from the plastic finger molded into the heat sink.
Disconnect the fan from the motherboard.
Pull the connector straight up and out of its socket.

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Step 2

Remove the two 9 mm Phillips screws securing the memory card reader to the chassis.

Edit

Only the very first release of the PS3 used to have the memory card reader. Most recent models do not have it (such as my PS3 model CECHG04). In this case just skip steps 22 and 23.

markp - Jan 11, 2015 Reply

Also, these screws should be removed in step 5 to prevent breaking the clips that secure the card reader to the top shell.

screech - Dec 4, 2018 Reply

Step 3

Lift the memory card reader out of the PS3 enough to access its ribbon cable.
Flip up the retaining flap on the memory card reader ribbon cable socket.
Be sure you are prying up on the retaining flap, not the socket itself.
Pull the ribbon cable out of its socket and remove the memory card reader.

Edit

I have a CECHA01 and the card reader is attached to the top cover. Per comments at step 5, the 2 screws mentioned at step 22 are removed at step 5. The ribbon cable mentioned here in step 23 should be removed at step 5.

Jon Tyre - Mar 22, 2016 Reply

If leaving card reader attached to top shell this step should be part of step 6.

screech - Dec 4, 2018 Reply

Step 4

Disconnect the DC-In cables from the front of the heat sink.
Pull the connector toward the front of the PS3.

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Step 5

Remove the five 9 mm Phillips screws securing the power supply to the chassis.

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Step 6

Lift the power supply by its front edge to clear the two posts attached to the motherboard.
Remove the power supply.

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I had a small black wire taped to the side of my power supply. If you have this - remember to remove the tape, first, or you run the risk of pulling the wire out.

Oliver Clare - Jul 28, 2014 Reply

Step 7

Remove the four 16.5 mm shouldered Phillips screws securing the heat sink to the motherboard.
Remove the two brackets held under the screws you just removed.

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Step 8

Lift the motherboard assembly off the heat sink.
The heat sink may still be held in place by the thermal paste. If this is the case, gently pry the heat sink away from the motherboard housing. Make sure to not bend the copper piping on the heat sink.
Be sure to apply a new layer of thermal paste when reattaching the heat sink.
Never applied thermal paste before? Our thermal paste guide makes it easy.
If you're following the YLOD repair guide, stay tuned for where to apply the replacement thermal paste.

Edit

so do we apply arctic silver 5 thermal paste to the heat sink pads that attach to the CPU GPU,Or do we only apply thermal paste to the chips /pads CPU GPU ?

David - Mar 26, 2014 Reply

In some PS3 versions, such as my PS3 model CECHG04, the heat sink is attached to the lower half of the motherboard shield, so in order to remove the motherboard you have to lift the top cover and detach the motherboard from the heat sink.

markp - Jan 11, 2015 Reply

Yeah, on mine (which is the very first revision of the PS3), you have to add a SUPER heavy amount of thermal paste, for it to even make contact. Odd.

Christopher - Aug 5, 2019 Reply

Can someone confirm what material the heatsink is made of for those wanting to apply liquid metal (I'm sure as !&&* not taking the risk) but might be of interest to others…

Jjj - Oct 23, 2019 Reply